Covering current affairs, the EU foreign ministers also discussed transatlantic relations; Iran’s nuclear programme; the situation of migrants in Bosnia and Herzegovina; developments in Hong Kong, Venezuela and Ethiopia; EU relations with Turkey; the EU’s strategy for sharing COVID-19 vaccines; the case of Giulio Regeni, who had been murdered in Egypt; and the situation in Russia. 
 
With regard to the latter, Minister Rau stressed the need for an EU response to the deteriorating human rights situation in Russia, one example of which is the attempted murder, and now the arrest, of Alexei Navalny. The chief of Polish diplomacy condemned the brutal repression of recent peaceful protests in defence of Alexei Navalny in many cities across Russia. He added that further changes to Russian legislation significantly restrict human and civil rights, which should be a priority in the EU’s relations with the Russian Federation. Minister Rau mentioned that the EU should consider sanctions in response to recent developments. 
 
The head of the Polish MFA also referred to the situation in Belarus, recalling the need for the European Commission to publish an economic support plan for democratic Belarus as a concrete signal for its society, which is fighting for a change.
 
On climate and energy diplomacy, it was stressed that the EU must remain competitive in pursuing its ambitious climate goals. Energy security should remain an overarching objective for the EU, which should therefore aim to become independent from dominant energy suppliers.
 
During a discussion with Toshimitsu Motegi, the chief of Japanese diplomacy, Minister Rau expressed Poland’s support for increased EU engagement in Asia, highlighting the similarities between Japan’s concept of the Free and Open Indo-Pacific and the EU’s policy in the region. He also pointed out that the COVID-19 pandemic has demonstrated the importance of cooperation between countries with the same values aimed at building resilience to threats to security and stability.
 
As regards the future of the EU’s relations with the UK in foreign and security affairs, Poland stressed that it is vital to sustain comprehensive and close cooperation with London. The EU’s neighbourhood and the Western Balkans, policy towards Russia, and the coordination of international sanctions have been identified as priorities for such cooperation. The Polish foreign minister expressed his support for enabling the UK to participate in EU defence initiatives.
 
MFA Press Office

Fot. European Union, Tymon Markowski / MFA